Top 6 features of Android 5.1 Lollipop

A number of new smartphones are getting a taste of Lollipop's updated software, the Android 5.1 Lollipop, through custom firmwares. The updates include support for multiple SIM cards, Device Protection and high definition (HD) voice. You'll also get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth shortcuts in Quick Settings.The first devices to get the update are the T-Mobile Nexus 6 and Verizon Nexus 6, with the T-Mobile Nexus 5, Nexus 7 and Nexus 4.Among those who have used the update on their devices, are calling the 5.1 is much better than its predecessor. Google fixed a ton of bugs, and it also pushed through a few new helpful features that should have been bundled with Lollipop from the start.Here are six best new features of Lollipop 5.1:Run two SIMs at the same timeAndroid 5.1 Lollipop facilitates the operation of dual SIMs in one phone. The dialer app lets you choose between your SIMs and will color-code its interface to make sure you know which one you're using. This is good for international travellers.Silent Mode now availableWith all its outstanding designs and upgrades, Google forgot to enable users with a simple feature – Silent Mode. The users of Android 5.0 could no longer just get LED notifications without your phone buzzing or making some audible sound, imagine sitting in a meeting front of your boss or a client. A peaceful ‘silent' sleep became the thing of the past. The biggest relief for the users who upgraded their OS comes as the return of the Silent Mode in their phones. Now you can ignore your friends, family (and boss) in peace...Better notification sound optionsAndroid 5.1 lets you silent all of your notifications set for certain down times. The "Until Next Alarm" option lets you set your phone to silent until your next alarm. But there's a trick, the alarm has to be set for no more than 12 hours ahead of time, otherwise Lollipop won't offer the option.No more poor Wi-Fi connectionsThe favorite feature of many of the users of Android 5.1 is the disabling auto-connect to poor Wi-Fi networks. If your device connects to a Wi-Fi network with poor or no Internet access, it'll remember that and never connect to it again.Better device protectionPhone theft is still the biggest threat to your costly smartphones. Android 5.1 has a new device protection feature that prevents a thief from factory-resetting the phone without the password for the Google profile used previously on the device. It will be difficult for thieves to replace your account as a primary account which will make the device useless for them.The feature seems to be pretty restricted with only available on the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, and new Android 5.1 devices.Better WiFi and Bluetooth controlsIn the first version of Lollipop, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth controls were quite tiring and you had to tap to navigate to the Settings panel to get anything done, even if you simply wanted to switch Wi-Fi networks.But with the new feature in 5.1 you can choose a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth profile directly from within the drop-down panel. You just have to tap an arrow to expand the listing.